Rugby union is a close contact team sport that originated in the rugby school in the first half of the 19th century. Rugby is simply about running with the ball in hand. In its most common form, the game is played between two teams of 15 players each, using an oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field called a court. The pitch has H-split goal posts at both ends. Rugby union is a popular sport around the world played by people of all genders, ages and sizes. In 2014, more than 6 million people played worldwide, of which 2.36 million were registered players.
Update on Sam Cane’s neck injury
Extra courage and a bull’s neck come in handy in rugby union and Sam Cane relied heavily on both to overcome a horrific injury and become the man to lead the All Blacks into a new era. An outspoken winger, the 28-year-old was named the successor to Kieran Read as New Zealand captain on Tuesday, less than two years after breaking his neck in a 32-30 win against South Africa in Pretoria.
A collision with Springboks outspoken forward Francois Louw left Cane in considerable pain, but few would have known it when he walked off the pitch at Loftus Versfeld. Cane noted that his strong neck not only saved his rugby career, but he could have kept him in a wheelchair, following surgery a few days later. He said, “I can’t stand without it.” Cane had some trepidation about plunging back into the spotlight after coming clean a year ago, while he worried that he might never get back on the field. In his failed attempt for a hat-trick at the World Cup in Japan, he recaptured the All Blacks’ number seven jersey and came together in just the right way.
After more than a decade of world dominance, a semi-final knockout by England was a bitter pill to swallow for rugby-mad New Zealand. With Steve Hansen’s successor and former assistant Ian Foster, the All Blacks’ ability to regenerate will be scrutinized by fans spoiled for success. Since Foster chose him as captain in February before the coronavirus outbreak triggered a global shutdown of the sport, Cane can keep the secret as well. The plan was to announce the appointment of the 68-Test wing a few weeks after the Super Rugby season, but the competition was canceled in March.
Fueling hopes that rugby can return soon – and even trials with neighboring Australia if circumstances continue – COVID-19 infection has subsided.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education